NEW DELHI: A former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram expressed disappointment on England players missing the IPL 2024 playoffs due to national commitments; this highlights a growing concern in the Cricketing world. Conversely to Sunil Gavaskar, who has suggested monetary sanctions, Akram believes that salary cuts will not solve the problem.
The legendary fast bowler told Sportskeeda, “If you cut salaries, will it affect anything if your team doesn’t win after reaching the playoffs? You’ve done all the hard work and at the end of it all, your boys have to go because they are playing for their country. It is unfair.”
He stressed that players must be available for entire seasons of any T20 league including IPL, PSL or BBL.
“This is what you play for. So it’s frustrating not just for fans but owners, and captains of teams in any league. I stand with Irfan come whole tournament or don’t come,” observed Akram.
Akram also blasted England Cricket Board (ECB) for refusing full No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to its players which in turn affected disruption fell on IPL teams.
On his part, former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar differed by suggesting imposition of financial penalties against both players and their boards in his Mid-Day column.
“I am all for players choosing country before anything else but having assured various franchises about their availability for the full season, if they pull out now, it will be letting down the franchises which probably pay them more money in one IPL season which they don’t earn in a few seasons with their country,” wrote Gavaskar. “So not only should a sizeable amount be deducted from what a player was bought at by his franchisee but also skip giving 10 percent commission towards Board where player belongs from each player fees as well.”
Akram names SRH as potential winners
For the future of IPL 2024, Akram, when discussing the prospects of the teams in the tournament, had pointed out that Sunrisers Hyderabad is a very strong side because they have their full squad available.
“The good thing is SRH didn’t go for England players. They are definitely one of the contenders. The way their playing XI is and the manner in which they play. They have all the players, so that will give them the extra boost,” he added.
Akram however fears that Rajasthan Royals may not make it to playoffs due to Jos Buttler’s absence who has starred with two match winning centuries this season.
“They [Rajasthan Royals] might struggle. There will be a huge difference after Jos Buttler’s departure. That will be both in terms of playing XI as well as psychological. I hope they overcome it and if they don’t win trophy then you know just do-or-die for them,” Akram concluded.
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